Smithfield Township may follow in Pocono Township's footsteps when it comes to finding a township manager.

Pocono Township commissioners last week retained the Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government at Lafayette College to conduct its manager search. The successful candidate will oversee daily operations, including township departments and employees, deal with the public and keep the commissioners informed of township matters.

Smithfield Township supervisors also are considering the Meyner Center, one of two potential consultants for their search.

"They're phenomenal," said Supervisors' Chairman Brian Barrett, who spoke recently with Meyner Center Associate Director David Woglom. "What I like is this group would walk in, find out what's going on, talk to the supervisors."

He also calls Woglom's $75 hourly fee a bargain.

What Barrett doesn't like is that the Lafayette search is generally a three-month process. Barrett hopes to find a manager sooner and will ask Woglom if he can reduce the search time. Smithfield majority supervisors fired Jackie Ocker, the township clerk, Jan. 6 in anticipation of rolling her duties into that of the new manager.

"I don't think we have that luxury" of a longer search, Barrett said.

The board's second option is to retain Core People Resources CEO Victoria Mavis, who previously consulted with the township in updating Smithfield's employee handbook and handling other employee issues.

A decision could come as early as a work session Wednesday, Barrett said.

"I feel confident either way we go," he said.

Barrett hopes an area resident with the right qualifications can be found to take the manager job.

"I'd like to stay as local as I can, but to say you must be a Smithfield Township resident might be a bit too much," he said. "I look at this person as a CEO of a business."

A manager will bring a higher level of professional expertise and continuity to local government, Barrett said. The supervisors will keep their part-time township jobs — up to 15 hours per week each — once a manager is onboard.

"You get elected, you have a certain responsibility," Barrett said. "I don't think you want to hire someone and walk away. There should be a presence."